The Tate Modern, London, United Kingdom

London Tate wins £50 million grant

Venue to become “best in the world”

London’s most successful contemporary gallery, the Tate Modern has won a £50 million grant from the UK government to boost the development fund of £215 currently being amassed to expand the facility.

The Tate Modern, converted from a disused power station in 2000 by Herzog De Mueron pulls over 4 million visitors per year making it London’s top attraction. The controversial Tate Modern 2, also by Herzog De Mueron will encompass the old power station’s huge oil tanks and increase the gallery space by 60%.

The grant represented a quarter of the total capital budge covering 16 of the UK’s museums and galleries.

The Tate project is scheduled for completion in 2012 to coincide with the Olympics.